UTEP (16-7) vs Florida International (8-16)
February 13, 2025 at 09:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: UTEP -8.5 — Over/Under: 142.5
The FIU Panthers and the UTEP Miners meet Thursday in college basketball action from the Don Haskins Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an FIU vs. UTEP prediction.
FIU Recap
The FIU Panthers come into this game looking to bounce back from an 82-71 loss to Louisiana Tech in their last game. After this game, FIU will head on the road to take on New Mexico State.
Panthers Lose 8 Of Last 9
Jayden Brewer leads the Panthers in scoring and rebounding with 14.9 PPG and 5 RPG while Vianney Salatchoum has 10.1 PPG with 4.5 RPG and Jonathan Aybar has 10.8 PPG with 5 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for FIU up to this point in the year. Dashon Gittens has 8.5 PPG with 4 RPG and Asim Jones has 9.8 PPG with 2.5 RPG and 2.7 APG as well on the year. Ashton Williamson also has 7.2 PPG with 2.4 RPG and 2.8 APG to lead the Panthers in the assist department. As a team, FIU is averaging 72.1 PPG on 44.3% shooting from the field, 30.2% from three-point range, and 70.2% from the foul line so far this season.
UTEP Recap
The UTEP Miners come into this game looking to build on their 66-63 win over New Mexico State last time out to improve to 16-7 on the year. After this game, UTEP will welcome Liberty to town.
Miners Looking To Build Momentum
Otis Frazier III leads the Miners in scoring with 14.4 PPG and 2.7 APG along with 5 RPG while Corey Camper Jr. has 11.1 PPG with 3.7 RPG and 2.3 APG along with 2.3 SPG as well. Ahamad Bynum has 10.4 PPG and Devon Barnes has 10.2 PPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for UTEP up to this point in the year while Kevin Kalu has a team-high 5.6 RPG to lead UTEP on the glass this season. David Terrell Jr. has 8 PPG with 3.5 RPG and a team-high 3.5 APG to lead the Miners in assists up to this point in the year. As a team, UTEP is averaging 72.9 PPG on 45.2% shooting from the field, 37.4% from three, and 71.8% from the foul line this season.
Why the UTEP Miners will win
- Florida International has lost each of its last eight games at Don Haskins Center.
- UTEP has won each of its last eight night games against Florida International at Don Haskins Center.
Total Points Facts
- Three of the last four games between Florida International and UTEP at Don Haskins Center have produced a total of 145+ points.
- Three of Florida International’s last four night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at Don Haskins Center have produced a total of 145+ points.
FIU vs. UTEP Prediction
I’m on FIU and the points here. I think UTEP is the better team here by a fair margin, but the problem for UTEP is that they’ve been involved in a lot of close games, even against the teams that they shouldn’t be playing close games against in conference play. FIU, despite being near the bottom of the C-USA table, is still competing and still finding ways to play in tight games and I think this could be a tight affair as well. Give me FIU and the points in this one.